Photographic system employing film margin rails

ABSTRACT

Photographic system having a processor adapted to apply a thin layer of processing fluid on an exposed strip of motion picture film as it is progressively drawn thereacross and a spool member for convolutely storing the film strip substantially immediately following application of the fluid thereon, employs protuberances located along both lateral margins of the film strip for spacing adjoining turns of the latter when it is convolutely stored on the spool member so as to prevent disturbance of the not yet fully dried fluid layer. Additionally, the protuberance of either or both margins may be a continuous elongated rail configured for magnetically recording sound information. Preferably, the margin rail would include a thin surface coating for the latter purpose.

United States Patent 1 1 3 Land et al. 1 Jan. 1, 1974 PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEM EMPLOYING FILM MARGIN RAILS Inventors: Edwin H. Land, Cambridge;

Lucretia Weed, Boston, both of Mass.

Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, M ass.

Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 Appl. No.: 214,918

Assignee:

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 10/1971 Land 352/130 X 5/1961 Nicolini 352/238 11/1916 MacBride 352/238 8/1951 Rossmann et a1 96/39 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 240,532 10/1925 Great Britain 352/237 Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses AttorneyRobert L. Berger et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Photographic system having a processor adapted to apply a thin layer of processing fluid on an exposed strip of motion picture film as it is progressively drawn thereacross and a spool member for convolutely storing the film strip substantially immediately following application of the fluid thereon, employs protuberances located along both lateral margins of the film strip for spacing adjoining turns of the latter when it is convolutely stored on the spool member so as to prevent disturbance of the not yet fully dried fluid layer. Additionally, the protuberance of either or both margins may be a continuous elongated rail configured for magnetically recording sound information. Preferably, the margin rail would include a thin surface coating for the latter purpose.

24 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIEN JAN 11924 I saw 1 or 2 n lllllllll PATENTED 1 1974 saw 2 or 2 /2s III III Fig. 4.

Fig.6.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.

PI-IOTOGRAPIIIC SYSTEM EMPLOYING FILM MARGIN RAILS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to photography and, more particularly, to an improved photographic system for processing of an exposed strip of photographic material.

2. Description of the Prior Art This invention is directed to a photographic system capable of processing an exposed strip of photographic material to a viewable condition and more particularly to a motion picture system which utilizes a multipurpose cassette within which the several operations of exposure, processing and projection of the recorded images are accomplished without transferring the film from the cassette. Exemplary of systems of this type are those described in prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,127 of Edwin H. Land issued Oct. 26, 1971; US. Pat. No. 3,537,784 of Rogers B. Downey issued Nov. 3, 1970; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,455 of Rogers B. Downey issued Sept. 28, 1971.

Generally these new systems, wherein use is made of a compact, multipurpose cassette within which the several operations of exposure, chemical processing, drying and projection of the recorded images may be accomplished without once transferring the film from the cassette to any other container of even removing the film from the original cassette, utilize coplanar supply and take-up reels to which opposite ends of the film are permanently attached. The unexposed photosensitive strip, initially wound upon thesupply reel, preferably passes from thesupply reel through a normally inoperable processing station and across an opening of the cassette, which functions at different intervals as both an exposure and projection station. Beyond the exposure station, the film is wound onto a take-up reel in the customary manner. When substantially the entire length of the photosensitive film strip in the cassette has been exposed and wound onto the take-up reel, the cassette is then loaded into a special purpose projector in which the motion of the film is reversed, this time passing from the take-up reel onto the supply reel. In its movement in this reverse direction, the film strip is subjected to a processing treatment in which a viscous processing fluid is applied to portions of the film strip as they are transported through the processing station and rewound onto the supply reel.

The condition of the film strip, or that is the state of p speed at which the film is rewound, the distance 'between the processing station and the supply spool, and the nature of any drying means employed, etc. However, this invention is directed to those "situations wherein the fluid remains in a delicate state, for example, remains somewhat fluidic, as it is rewound on the film spool and preferably should not bedisturbed during this winding operation. Hence, the application is particularly directed to compact cassette arrangements wherein the rewinding of the film onto the supply spool is preferably accomplished immediately following deposition of the processing fluid, and'hence, only-a short film path is provided between the processor and the supply spool. Consequently, only a 'minimum drying time is permitted such that the processing fluid often still remains in a substantially fluidic state during rewinding and can be adversely affected by contact to adjoining turns and by the wrap-up pressure generated during this winding operation. I

Consequently, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved photographic system for processing a strip of exposed photographic material.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a compact photographic cassette configured for applying a processing fluid to a retained strip of photographic material.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved photographic system for applying processing fluid to a strip of exposed photographic material and for storing such material subsequently immediately followingsuch application in a compact arrangement.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved photographic system for applying processing fluid to a strip of exposed photographic material including means for recording audio information.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a photographic film strip having raised margin portions configured for recording sound information and for facilitating development of viewable images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cut away plan view of a compact multipurpose motion picture film handling cassette embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut away view in perspective illustrating the processing station depicted on FIG. 1;

FIG. V3 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in section of the film strip shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in section illustrating the convolutely wound condition of the film strip shown in FIG. 1 when it is coiled on the supply spool following application of a processing fluid;

FIG. 6 is a view in section of alternate embodiments of the film strip. employed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view in section of the processor of FIG. 1 illustrating an alternate pressure pad arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a view in cross section of another embodiment of the film strip; and

FIG. 9 is a cut away view in perspective of an alternate embodiment of a processor intended for use with the film strip illustrated in FIG. 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A photographic system in accordance with this invention briefly comprises means for establishing a layer of processing fluid on a strip of photographic material and for subsequently storing the film strip in a layered arrangement, and means for spacingadjoining layers of the film strip when it is stored so as to prevent disturbance of the fluid layer at this time.

In the preferred embodiment the photographic system comprises a motion picture film cassette having a pair of coplanarly mounted reels to which opposite ends of a film strip are attached and upon which the film is convolutely wound for reversible transport thereof across an exposure-projection station and a processing station. The processing station is normally inoperative and is configured for selective operation during rewind of the film strip following its exposure. During this rewind operation, the emulsion side of the film is progressively presented to the processor as the film is transported through the processing station so that a thin layer of processing fluid isestablished over substantially the entire length of the emulsion.

Extending along both margins of the opposite side of the film strip from its emulsion are a pair of elongated rail-like protuberances which project above the film surface a distance preferably exceeding the height of the deposited fluid. These protuberances engage the adjoining turn of film on the spool and, hence, prevent the windings from exerting excessive force on, or movement of, the layer of fluid. Preferably, at least one of the film rails also includes a thin surfac coating of magnetic oxide which permits recording of sound information.

In an alternate embodiment, the rail-like protuberances are located on the emulsion side of the film and function to not only space adjoining turns of the spool winding but also cooperate with the processor to space the film strip a predetermined distance therefrom and to thereby determine the thickness of the fluid layer deposited on the film.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the film structure comprises an emulsion having a photosensitive image-recording layer and an image-receiving layer in which a visible image may be formed by imageforming substances transferred by diffusion from the photosensitive layer without necessitating subsequent removal of the processed photosensitive layer. A composite film assembly of this type which can be viewed by transmitted light without the necessity of removing the processed, negative image contained photosensitive layer is described in prior US. Pat. No. 2,861,885 of Edwin H. Land which issued on Nov. 25, 1958. Other composite film assemblies capable of producing photographic records which can be exhibited in full color without the necessity of removing the processed photosensitive layer are shown in prior U.S. Patents of Edwin H. Land Nos. 2,726,154 issued Dec. 6, 1955 and 2,944,894 issued July 12, 1960.

It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not directed to the chemistry by which visible images are fonned in an exposed photosensitive material, and that, while an illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a processing system in which a compatible processing fluid is applied to a film structure not requiring the removal of the photosensitive layer after visible image formation is completed,

the invention may be utilized with other types of processing fluids and film structures.

The illustrated preferred embodiment of this invention may best be understood by first referring to FIG.

1 of the drawings wherein a compact multipurpose film handling cassette is shown as basically constituted by a pair of planar, side wall members 12 and 14 joined together at their edges by end walls 16 and 18 and elongated top and bottom walls 20 and 22 to form a substantially opaque housing. Within the cassette 10, a supply spool or reel 24 and a take-up spool or reel 26 are coplanarly mounted for rotation about parallel axes. A strip of unexposed photographic material 28, of the type previously discussed is affixed at its ends to the supply reel 24 and the takeup reel 18, and initially substantially entirely coiled around the supply reel. In traveling from the supply reel 24 to the take-up reel 26, the film strip 28 sequentially passes around idlers 30, 32, 34, and sprocket 36 which are positioned at the four corners of the cassette 10. Additionally, the film strip 28 in its passage from sprocket reel 36 to the take-up reel 26 passes around a spring biased idler 38 and idlers 40 and 42.

In its extended path from the supply reel 24 to the take-up reel 26, the film strip 28 passes through a plurality of functional stations which are utilized at different periods in the life cycle of the cassette 10. The order of passage of the film strip 28 through these several stations is, however, not the same as the sequence with which the stations are brought into operation. From the supply reel 24, the film strip 28 passes first through a processing or film development station 44,

. across an opening 46 of the bottom wall 22 and subsequently across openings 48 and 50 of the side wall 16.

The opening 46 facilitates both exposure and projection inasmuch as it permits image bearing light rays to impinge on progressive incremental sections of the film strip 28 when the cassette is operated in a camera and subsequently permits light rays from an external source to be directed through a prismatic reflector element 54 and then outwardly through incremental sections of the film strip and opening 46 for projection operations. Hence, the opening 46 first comprises an exposure station and subsequently a projection station of the cassette 20. To facilitate these exposure and projection functions, a pressure plate 52 is mounted in adjoining relation to the opening 46 and is configured to cooperate with an appropriate aperture plate (not shown) of both the camera and projector to position the film 28 in a proper film plane. Also mounted behind the opening 46 is a baffle member 56 which extends around both the opening 46 and the prismatic element 54 to prevent light from penetrating the interior of the cassette 10.

Openings 48 and 50, on the other hand, facilitate recording and playback of audio information and hence, comprise a recording-playback station. The recording operation may be provided in any appropriate device such as in the camera suring film exposure, or subsequently, in another apparatus such as a projector at which time audio information may be recorded and subsequently played from the film strip 28. To facilitate the recording and playback operation, opening 48 is configured to accept a capstan 51 which in conjunction with idler 40 grips the film 28 and uniformly drives it across opening 50. The latter opening is, in turn, configured to receive a pair of conventional magnetic recording or playback heads 53 and 55 for recording and reproduction of the sound information-from two magnetic strips of the film, as later explained with regard to I FIG. 4. During this audio operation, the sprocket 36 operates in conjunction with the spring biased idler 38 to appropriately isolate the film motion in this area from its intermittent motion in the exposure-projection station area. A cassette arrangement exemplary of this type of audio system is described in prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,790 of Edwin H. Land and Rogers B. downey which issued Sept. 14, 1971.

The processing station 44, as later explained in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, is'normally inoperative and is configured to apply fluid to the film strip during a selected passage of the latter. This processing operation is generally completed during rewind of the film from the take-up reel to the supply reel immediately subsequent to its exposure.

The cassette is initially furnished with a film strip 28, in its photosensitive condition substantially completely coiled on the supply reel 24. For exposure purposes, the cassette 10 is mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) with the drive spindle of the cameraengaging a recess 62 in the hub of the take-up spool 26, and the claw (not shown) in engagement with its sprocket holes 29. In this use, light rays from the scene being photographed are focused by the camera lens through the camera shutter and the cassette opening 46 onto the photosensitive film strip 28 during its passage from the supply reel 24 to the take-up reel 26. As previously indicated, during this exposure sequence, sound information may be simultaneously recorded on the film strip 28. Hence, when the cassette 10 is mounted in the camera (not shown), a drive means of the camera may also engage the sprocket hub 64 which is driven along with the take-up spool 26 and serves to filter out the incremental motion imparted to the film strip 28 by the claw member (not shown) and to meter the film strip towards the cassette sound recording and playback station at a much more uniform rate of speed. At this time, the capstan 51 and the magnetic recording heads 53 and 55 may be extended within the openings 48 and 50, respectively, for recording of sound information. During this exposure and audio recording sequence, the processing station 44 is passive.

The next stage of operation, the film processing stage, may be accomplished in the same camera in which the film was exposed but is preferably accomplished in a projector (not shown) during rewind of the exposed film from the take-up reel 26 to the supply reel 24. Hence, the cassette 10 is mounted in an appropriate project apparatus (not shown) with drive spindles of the latter in engagement with recesses 62 and 66 of the film spools. Processing is accomplished in a part by means of a container 68 having therein a supply of viscous developing fluid 70. As is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, one end of the container 68 comprises an orifice 72 which acts as a nozzle feeding a doctor blade 74 to establish a carefully measured thickness of the viscous film processing fluid 70 on that width of the photosensitive film strip surface on which images have previously been recorded. Hence, the orifice 72 and the doctor blade 74 extend across only part of the total width of the film, i.e., that intermediate portion on which the latent images 76 are recorded such that no processing fluid 70 is applied to the film margin 78 around the-sprocketholes 29 or to the opposite margin 80.

In this arrangement, a pressure pad 94 supports the film strip 28 as it passes the orifice 72. The pad 94 may be placed in its film engaging position by any suitable means. Further, in this embodiment, the container 68 also includes wall portions 82 and 84 which extend below the plane of the doctor blade 74 so as to space the film 28 from the latter which, in turn, distributes or applies a metered thickness of the viscous fluid 70 onto the photosensitive surface of the film.

For suitable processing of the film, the fluid 70 need only be continuouslydeposited from the orifice 72 behind the doctor blade 74 during the rewind operation. One way this may be accomplished is by means of a plunger 71 (shown in FIG. 1) which is movable pistonlike within the container 68. vThe plunger may be biased in the direction of the orifice 72 by a plunger driver 73 of the projector (not shown) projecting inward through a slot 75 in the wall of the cassette. Before the plunger driver 73 is brought to bear against the plunger 71, the processing fluid 70 may be prevented from leaking to the orifice 72 by a rupturable membrane (not shown) which is disposed across the orifice and is capable of being broken by the application of a sufficient force to the plunger. The plunger driver 73 may cooperate with and even be a part of the projector mechanism and hence, is brought into action by the projector during the time that the film is being rewound onto the supply reel. The plunger driver 73 should also be mounted such that its entry through the wall 12 of the cassette is baffled to prevent light from entering this area prior to development of the film. It should be noted that, the

system can be designed for merely gravity feed of the fluid through the orifice 72, in which case only means for initiating release of the fluid from the nozzle orifice are essentially required and the plunger 71 and plunger driver 73 may be omitted.

As previously indicated, following deposit of the processing fluid 70 on the film strip 28, the wetted portions thereof are drawn around idlers 32 and 30 and onto the supply spool 24. These idlers may, of course, be appropriately contoured so as to only contact the dry edge areas and 82 during this operation. In this path between the processing station 44 and the supply spool 24, at least partial drying of the fluid occurs. To facilitate such drying, air may be pumped by means (not shown), through the cassette l0 and across the film strip.

The processing fluid 70 is not, however, in a fully dried state when the film strip is convolutely wound on the supply reel 24, and consequently, in the novel arrangement protuberances or, in this embodiment, elongated protuberances or rails 86 and 88, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, extend along the longitudinal margins of the film strip 28 so as to provide means for spacing adjoining turns of the strip when (as shown in FIG. 5) it is wound on the supply spool 24 immediately following fluid deposition. In this embodiment, the rails 86 and 88 are strip-like portions affixed to the underside 89 of a film base 90 on the side opposite its emulsion surface 92. Of course, the rails 86 and 88 may generally be any suitable protuberance or plurality thereof which will adequately space the adjoining turns of the film when it is convolutely wound on the supply spool 24. Hence, they may be formed as part of the film base 90 or as illustrated may be, for example, discrete strips of material affixed to the latter; e.g. adhesively applied to the latter. Hence, it should be understood that the rails 86 and 88 provide means for spacing fluid treated portions of the film from adjoining portions thereof when the film is stored in a layered arrangement so as to prevent disturbance of the fluid layer at that time. For proper spacing of the film strip turns from adjoining turns, it is preferable that the rail height be sufficient to accommodate any bowing of the film strip 28 which can occur due to a tight wrap up. Hence, a rail height of two to four times the fluid thickness is preferred. In the preferred embodiment, wherein a fluid layer thickness of about 0.0005 inch is utilized, a rail height of 0.001 to 0.002 inch is suitable.

By way of example, a film strip approximately 0.004 inch thick not including the rails) and 0.314 inch wide was employed with a processor nozzle having a rectangular orifice 0.070 inch long (as measured in direction of film travel) and 0.225 inch wide as measured transverse to the film. The rails were located on the base side of the film and were designed to bracket the fluid layer of adjoining turns during wrap up. The rails were 0.001 to 0.002 inch higher than the base layer and approximately 0.060 inch wide along the perforation margin and 0.030 inch wide along the other margin which.

provided rails spaced approximately 0.224 inch apart.

Advantageously, one or both of the rails may also be utilized for sound recording. For example, both rails may be utilized for magnetic recording for stereo- 1 phonic purposes or for any other arrangements wherein film spacing when the film is in a wet condition on the 1 supply spool and the rail thickness isthereby determined by and generally significantly exceeds the fluid layer, it will generally be thicker than the 0.0003 inch magnetic oxide thickness conventionally employed for magnetic recording. Now a thick magnetic film (over 0.0003 inch), which produces only marginal advantages as regards the recording and reproduction function, is difficult to produce with desired surface flatness necessary for proper audio operation and with the flexibility necessary for this type of compact cassette arrangement. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic oxide film may be a thin surface coating of each rail. That is, for the given example, the rails 86 and 88 may each include underlying layers 91 and 93, about 0.0007 to 0.0017 inch thick, with overlying 0.0003 inch thick magnetic oxide layers 96 and 98, respectively. In this way, surface flatness and flexibility are easily achieved and the rails will be compatible with conventional recording and playback heads while also providing a suitable spacing function.

As previously indicated, a flat pressure pad may be employed for holding the film 28 against the nozzle spacers 82 and 84. However, to provide improved control over the spacing between the film strip 28 and the processor 44, a contoured pressure pad 100 may be utilized as shown in FIG. 7. Herein, the pressure pad 100 includes marginal offsets or steps 97, 99 and a raised center portion 101 which provides controlled support of the film as it passes the nozzle. In this arrangement, the raised surface portion 101 extends above the offsets 97 and 99 a distance equal to or slightly less than the maximum rail height. Hence, the center portion 101 of the pad underlies and generally supports the full width of the film image area of the film adjoining the nozzle opening. Such an arrangement is the subject of the copending patent application Ser. No. 214,919 of E.

Burke et al. filed simultaneously herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and as such does not form part of the present invention.

For convenience of construction, the film rails 86 and 88 are preferably located on the side of the film strip 28' opposite its emulsion 92 such that, when the film strip is convolutely wound on the supply spool 24, the film rails 86 and 88 bracket the fluid which has previously been deposited on an adjoining turn. However, the film rails may also be provided on the emulsion side of the film as shown in FIG. 8. Herein, the film strip 28 includes rail members 102 and 104 located on the emulsion surface 92 at the longitudinal margins thereof. In this embodiment, the fluid 70 would be deposited between the rails and hence, would also be protectively carried therein. Advantageously, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,836 of S. H. Cook et al. filed simultaneously herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the rails 102 and 104 may also be utilized to space the film from the fluid nozzle. Hence, as shown in FIG. 9, the rail members 102 and 104 may contact a nozzle surface 106 of a container 108 of fluid 70 so as to space its doctor blade 1 10 at appropriate distance from the film as the latter is transported thereacross. Consequently, it should be understood that in this embodiment, the rails 102 and 104 provide means for spacing both the applying means from the film (so as to determine in cooperation there with the thickness of the fluid layer) and also the adjoining turns or layers of film when the latter is in its wet-stored arrangement- Preferably, the rail which is located along the perforation margin, surrounds the perforations and at least in the wound condition of the film seals them from the fluid, or that is, provides a barrier between the perforations and the fluid to prevent squeezing of the latter into the perforations when the film strip is tightly wound. It should also be noted that while many different materials will be suitable for the spacer rails, it is important that they be of material, as for example, polymeric material, which generally will not absorb or be easily wetted by the fluid and which thereby prevents adherence between the rail and adjoining film turns when the film strip is tightly wrapped.

Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate the highly unique advantages of the novel cassette which includes film spacers to facilitate processing of the film strip. The spacer arrangement uniquely protects the image portion of the film and its fluid layer during the drying cycle following film processing. The spacing arrangement additionally may function to control the deposition of processing fluid. Moreover, the film spacers may also be configured to additionally function as audio recording strips.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferred embodiments described herein are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising:

a housing;

third means for spacing the fluid layer of such one two to four times said predetermined thickness of such fluid layer.

portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement, said third means including protuberances located on either side of said film strip and extending above the surface of such one side a distance at least twice said predetermined thickness of such fluid layer. 2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said protuberances 3. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said distance is 4. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said predetermined thickness is about 0.0005 inch and said distance is 0.001 to 0.002 inch.

5. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said third means 6. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising:

a housing;

a strip of photographic film material;

first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip;

second means for progressively advancing such film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of such film strip interposed between other portions thereof; and

third means for spacing the fluid .layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement, said third means including at least one elongated rail-like protuberance extending longitudinally along said film strip and protruding above adjoining areas thereof so as to space such adjoining areas from such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement, said rail-like protuberance having a thin surface coating of magnetic material configured for recording audio information, said thin surface coating being approximately one-fifth the thickness of said raillike protuberance.

7. The cassette of claim 6 wherein said rail-like protuberance extends approximately 0.0015 inch above adjacent portions of such film strip, and said thin surface coating is approximately 0.0003 inch thick.

8. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising:

a housing;

a strip of photographic film material;

first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip;

second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of said film strip interposed between other portions thereof; and

third means for cooperating with said first means so as to provide a fluid layer of a given thickness and for spacing the fluid layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement.

9. The cassette of claim 8 wherein said third means includes at least one elongated protuberance configured for spacing said first means from such film strip during fluid application.

10. The cassette of claim 8 wherein said third means includes a protuberance extending along each longitudinal margin of such film strip in adjoining relation to its emulsion surface and extending thereabove.

11. A photographic film handling cassette comprising a strip of photographic film, first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip, and second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means whereby a layer of such fluid is established along substantially the entire lengthof said film strip, said film strip including means for cooperating with said first means for establishing a predetermined thickness of such fluid layer, said cooperating means including means for recording audio information.

12. The cassette of claim 11 wherein said first means includes a nozzle configured for communicating between a source of processing fluid and such incremental section of said film strip and a doctor blade element configured for distributing such fluid along said film strip during its advancement, said cooperating means including at least one rail-like protuberance extending longitudinally along said film strip, and at least a surface portion of said protuberance including magnetic material for recording audio information.

13. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising:

a housing;

a strip of photographic film material;

first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip, said first means including a doctor blade element;

second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of one surface of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of said film strip interposed between other portions thereof; and

third means for spacing said doctor blade from said one surface of said film strip during said advancement so as to establish in cooperation with said doctor blade a fluid layer of predetermined thickness and for spacing the fluid layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement.

14. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising:

a housing;

a strip of photographic film material;

first means for depositing processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip;

second means for progressively advancing such film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the applicatin of such processing fluid, in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip; and third means for precluding contact between the fluid layer of any one turn of said film strip and an adjoining turn when said film strip is stored insuch coiled arrangement, said third means including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance equal to or slightly exceeding said predetermined width and protruding above the surface of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height exceeding such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer and selected to space the intermediate portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining'turn of said film strip a distance sufficient to accommodate howing of said film strip when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement and to thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn.

15. The cassette of claim 14 wherein at least the upper surface of both of said rails includes magnetic material suitable for recording audio information.

16. The cassette of claim 14 wherein said film strip includes a plurality of perforations serially arranged along one of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, and the rail extending along said one margin at least includes contiguous portions located inwardly of said perforations so as to provide a fluid barrier between said perforations and such fluid layer at least when said film strip is in such coiled arrangement and thereby prevent egress of such fluid through said perforations.

17. A photographic film strip for use with apparatus having means for applying a processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip and means for progressively advancing said film strip through such processing means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of said film strip and for substantially immediately thereafter storing said film strip in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip, said film strip including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance at least equal to such predetermined distance and extending above the surface portion of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height exceeding such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer and selected to space said intermediate surface portion of any one turn of saidfilm strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance sufficient to accommodate bowing of said film strip when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement and to thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn.

18. The film strip of claim 17 wherein at least the upper surface of both said rails includes magnetic material suitable for recording audio information.

19. A photographic film strip for use with apparatus having means for applying a processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip and means for progressively advancing said film strip through such processing means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of said film strip and for substantially immediately thereafter storing said film strip in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip, said film strip including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance at least equal to such predetermined distance and extending above the surface portion of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height approximately twice such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer so as to space said intermediate surface portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance exceeding such predetermined thickness and thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement.

20. The film strip of claim 19 wherein said railsextend to a height of two to four times the thickness of said fluid layer.

21. The film strip of claim 19 wherein at least one of said rails includes magnetic material and is configured for magnetically recording audio information.

22. The film strip of claim 19 wherein both said rails include magnetic material and are configured for magnetically recording audio information.

23. A photographic film strip for use with apparatus having means for applying a processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip and means for progressively advancing said film strip through such processing means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of said film strip and for substantially immediately thereafter storing said film strip in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip, said film strip including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance at least equal to such predetermined distance and extending above the surface portion of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height exceeding such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer so as to space saidintermediate surface portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance exceeding such predetermined thickness and thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement, at least one of said rails being configured for magnetically recording audio information and including a thin upper layer of magnetic material and a lower layer of nonmagnetic material for supporting said upper layer and in combination therewith to extend to said height exceeding the thickness of such fluid layer, said upper layer being approximately one-fifth the thickness of said height.

24. The film strip of claim 23 wherein said film strip includes an emulsion forming one side of said film strip upon which such fluid layer is applied, and said rails are located on the other side of said film strip such that the rails of one turn of said film strip contact the margins of said one side of an adjoining turn and straddle the fluid layer thereof when said film strip is in its coiled arrangement. 

1. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising: a housing; a strip of photographic film material; first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip; second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means so as to establish a layer of predetermined thickness of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of one side of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of said film strip interposed between other portions thereof; and third means for spacing the fluid layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement, said third means including protuberances located on either side of said film strip and extending above the surface of such one side a distance at least twice said predetermined thickness of such fluid layer.
 2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said protuberances comprise a pair of rail-like protuberances, each of said rail-like protuberances being located along one of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, and said rail-like protuberances including at least a thin surface coating of magnetic material configured for magnetically recording audio information.
 3. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said distance is two to four times said predetermined thickness of such fluid layer.
 4. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said predetermined thickness is about 0.0005 inch and said distance is 0.001 to 0.002 inch.
 5. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said third means includes at least one elongated rail-like protuberance extending along each longitudinal margin of such film strip, and said rail-like protuberances are additionally configured for recording audio information.
 6. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising: a housing; a strip of photographic film material; first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip; second means for progressively advancing such film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of such film strip interposed between other portions thereof; and third means for spacing the fluid layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such Layered arrangement, said third means including at least one elongated rail-like protuberance extending longitudinally along said film strip and protruding above adjoining areas thereof so as to space such adjoining areas from such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement, said rail-like protuberance having a thin surface coating of magnetic material configured for recording audio information, said thin surface coating being approximately one-fifth the thickness of said rail-like protuberance.
 7. The cassette of claim 6 wherein said rail-like protuberance extends approximately 0.0015 inch above adjacent portions of such film strip, and said thin surface coating is approximately 0.0003 inch thick.
 8. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising: a housing; a strip of photographic film material; first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip; second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of said film strip interposed between other portions thereof; and third means for cooperating with said first means so as to provide a fluid layer of a given thickness and for spacing the fluid layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement.
 9. The cassette of claim 8 wherein said third means includes at least one elongated protuberance configured for spacing said first means from such film strip during fluid application.
 10. The cassette of claim 8 wherein said third means includes a protuberance extending along each longitudinal margin of such film strip in adjoining relation to its emulsion surface and extending thereabove.
 11. A photographic film handling cassette comprising a strip of photographic film, first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip, and second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means whereby a layer of such fluid is established along substantially the entire length of said film strip, said film strip including means for cooperating with said first means for establishing a predetermined thickness of such fluid layer, said cooperating means including means for recording audio information.
 12. The cassette of claim 11 wherein said first means includes a nozzle configured for communicating between a source of processing fluid and such incremental section of said film strip and a doctor blade element configured for distributing such fluid along said film strip during its advancement, said cooperating means including at least one rail-like protuberance extending longitudinally along said film strip, and at least a surface portion of said protuberance including magnetic material for recording audio information.
 13. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising: a housing; a strip of photographic film material; first means for directing processing fluid toward an incremental section of said film strip, said first means including a doctor blade element; second means for progressively advancing said film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of one surface of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such fluid, in a layered arrangement with at least one fluid treated portion of said film strip interposed between other portiOns thereof; and third means for spacing said doctor blade from said one surface of said film strip during said advancement so as to establish in cooperation with said doctor blade a fluid layer of predetermined thickness and for spacing the fluid layer of such one portion from contact with such other portions when said film strip is stored in such layered arrangement.
 14. A photographic film handling cassette in which a strip of photographic film is treated with a processing fluid, said cassette comprising: a housing; a strip of photographic film material; first means for depositing processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip; second means for progressively advancing such film strip relative to said first means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid on substantially the entire length of said film strip and for progressively storing said film strip, substantially immediately following the application of such processing fluid, in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip; and third means for precluding contact between the fluid layer of any one turn of said film strip and an adjoining turn when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement, said third means including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance equal to or slightly exceeding said predetermined width and protruding above the surface of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height exceeding such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer and selected to space the intermediate portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance sufficient to accommodate bowing of said film strip when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement and to thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn.
 15. The cassette of claim 14 wherein at least the upper surface of both of said rails includes magnetic material suitable for recording audio information.
 16. The cassette of claim 14 wherein said film strip includes a plurality of perforations serially arranged along one of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, and the rail extending along said one margin at least includes contiguous portions located inwardly of said perforations so as to provide a fluid barrier between said perforations and such fluid layer at least when said film strip is in such coiled arrangement and thereby prevent egress of such fluid through said perforations.
 17. A photographic film strip for use with apparatus having means for applying a processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip and means for progressively advancing said film strip through such processing means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of said film strip and for substantially immediately thereafter storing said film strip in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip, said film strip including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance at least equal to such predetermined distance and extending above the surface portion of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height exceeding such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer and selected to space said intermediate surface portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance sufficient to accommodate bowing of said film strip when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement and to thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn.
 18. The film strip of claim 17 wherein at least the upper surface of both said rails includes magnetic material suitable for recording audio information.
 19. A photographic film strip for use with apparatus having means for applying a processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip and means for progressively advancing said film strip through such processing means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of said film strip and for substantially immediately thereafter storing said film strip in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip, said film strip including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance at least equal to such predetermined distance and extending above the surface portion of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height approximately twice such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer so as to space said intermediate surface portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance exceeding such predetermined thickness and thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement.
 20. The film strip of claim 19 wherein said rails extend to a height of two to four times the thickness of said fluid layer.
 21. The film strip of claim 19 wherein at least one of said rails includes magnetic material and is configured for magnetically recording audio information.
 22. The film strip of claim 19 wherein both said rails include magnetic material and are configured for magnetically recording audio information.
 23. A photographic film strip for use with apparatus having means for applying a processing fluid onto an incremental section of said film strip and means for progressively advancing said film strip through such processing means so as to apply a layer of predetermined thickness and predetermined width of such processing fluid along substantially the entire length of said film strip and for substantially immediately thereafter storing said film strip in a coiled arrangement providing a plurality of adjoining turns of said film strip, said film strip including a rail extending along each of the longitudinal margins of said film strip, said rails spaced apart a distance at least equal to such predetermined distance and extending above the surface portion of said film strip intermediate said rails to a height exceeding such predetermined thickness of such fluid layer so as to space said intermediate surface portion of any one turn of said film strip from an adjoining turn of said film strip a distance exceeding such predetermined thickness and thereby preclude contact between the fluid layer of such one turn and an adjoining turn when said film strip is stored in such coiled arrangement, at least one of said rails being configured for magnetically recording audio information and including a thin upper layer of magnetic material and a lower layer of non-magnetic material for supporting said upper layer and in combination therewith to extend to said height exceeding the thickness of such fluid layer, said upper layer being approximately one-fifth the thickness of said height.
 24. The film strip of claim 23 wherein said film strip includes an emulsion forming one side of said film strip upon which such fluid layer is applied, and said rails are located on the other side of said film strip such that the rails of one turn of said film strip contact the margins of said one side of an adjoining turn and straddle the fluid layer thereof when said film strip is in its coiled arrangement. 